Area Attractions

Whatever the reason for your visit to GW, and no matter how long you stay, you’ll never run out of things to do. At the edges of our Foggy Bottom Campus, you’ll find the White House, the Department of State, the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and a number of other cultural, government and entertainment venues. Washington’s most popular attractions are just a walk or a Metro ride away from the campus.

Government Buildings, Monuments and Memorials

Along with the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress, you can easily visit the Washington Monument, the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials and the Vietnam, Korean War and World War II memorials. Many U.S. government agencies and departments offer tours for visitors.

Washington, D.C., Neighborhoods

You can spend time exploring our historic Foggy Bottom or Mount Vernon/Foxhall neighborhoods. From both, Downtown, Penn Quarter, Capitol Hill and Georgetown shops and services can be reached on foot, Metro subway, Taxi, or by bus. The Adams Morgan and U Street/Shaw neighborhoods are a melting pot of cultures and home to popular entertainment, clubs and restaurants. The National Zoo, the National Mall and Rock Creek Park are among the city’s many green spaces.

George Washington

You can explore the Virginia haunts of GW’s namesake by visiting Olde Towne Alexandria, roaming Washington’s Mount Vernon home and traveling to his birthplace at Ferry Farm, near Fredericksburg.

D.C. Sports

Washington is a great sports city. Depending on the season, you can take in baseball with the Washington Nationals, football with the Redskins, basketball with the Wizards, hockey with the Capitals and soccer with D.C. United. If you’re fortunate enough to visit during basketball season, you can’t miss GW’s own Colonials!

Great Side Trips

If you’re traveling to and from GW by car and have the time to wander beyond the city, a number of outstanding attractions are just a day-trip away. They include Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, the historic port of Annapolis, Md., beautiful Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park and beaches in Maryland and Delaware.

Virtual Tour

Plan on your visit to campus to include shopping at the GW Bookstore for an assortment of spirited apparel and gifts. Located on the ground floor of the Marvin Center, you will also find residence hall and school supplies, computer-related products, magazines and best sellers, greeting cards, and textbooks and course materials. It is the destination for all things Colonials!